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Saturday, November 13, 2010

There are No Shortcuts

I read this devotional from Proverbs 31 yesterday morning. The truths that are spoken in this devotional are priceless. They can be applied across a wide variety of subjects. However, for this blog post, let's focus on our individual weight loss journeys.

There are no shortcuts on the road called Weight Loss. That's it. There is no quick way to lose weight and maintain the weight you have lost. There are no quick fixes.

I wish there was a magic pill that I could take that would help me to wake up thin and healthy. But as we all know, there is not a pill like that out there.

Because there are no quick fixes, if you decide to start your weight loss journey, you must take the long road. You did not gain all your weight in one night and you are not going to be able to lose it in one night either.

Try not to compare yourself with others who are on their own weight loss journeys. Everyone is different and will arrive at their destination at different times in a variety of ways.

This might sounds strange, but I am thankful for the weight loss journey I have been on. I believe that it has helped to shape me into a better woman. That would not have happened if I had just woken up skinny. God has used my weight loss to teach me so much!

Don't waste your journey ladies! There is too much for you to learn. I would not want you to miss out on any part of it.

Be encouraged and continue to press on!!

For those of you who are interested, here is the Proverbs 31 devotional from yesterday.

Life for a boy is measured in milestones. The first time you wear "big boy" underwear. The first time you are tall enough to ride a roller coaster. And the first time you eat a Big Mac meal all by yourself. For my youngest son Robbie, the last milestone came at age 6. And it also came with a life-message about the danger of shortcuts.

For a first grader, lunch in the cafeteria is a novelty. With two older brothers, Robbie knew it meant I would be joining him occasionally with a special lunch instead of his normal sandwich and fruit. He couldn't wait for his turn to have Mommy show up with lunch hidden in a paper bag, stamped with a familiar golden arch. The first time I did, he was thrilled.

Robbie majestically created a plate from the paper wrapping, dumped the fries onto the "plate," and sampled his soda. Like a king on his throne, he surveyed his lunch. Then Robbie dug in with abandon to his double-decker burger. And just as quickly, secret sauce started dripping down his little fingers.

He caught some with his tongue, but surplus sauce still oozed down his hands. I could see his shirt about to become a dining accessory, and started rustling through the bag and under wrappers. "Wait Robbie, I'm sure I brought some napkins," I said.

"It's okay Mommy," Robbie said raking his fingers through his hair. "My hair is a napkin." He grinned, thoroughly pleased with himself.

I stared. Speechless.

That was a teachable moment for me. You see, I didn't know I had to tell my children not to use their hair as a napkin. Now I know.

I learned something else from that experience. Convenience trumps correct almost every time wh en children are small. Which is why dirty clothes get dropped on the floor directly in front of the hamper. Or glasses get set on the counter above the dishwasher. Bad habits are easily formed, and it seems in our human nature to choose ease over diligence, quick over thorough.

Sadly, with enough choices like that, we end up with a life-culture of shallow rather than deep. Instead of pushing through to the next level of excellence, we settle. Instead of the few extra seconds it takes to find a napkin, we use our hair. And then we wonder why things aren't the way we wish they were.

I catch myself looking for the occasional short cut. But I've discovered there are no short cuts to anyplace worth going.

I'll never have a clean home unless I get to work. I'll never save money unless I shop smarter. I'll never be an excellent writer unless I sharpen my skills. I'll never be a great wife or mother unless I make it a priority. I will never wake up one day and find that my dreams have become a reality, unless I'm willing to do what it takes to make that happen.

Besides a good story, Robbie's "My hair is a napkin" experience is a great lesson. It reminds me that convenience isn't always best. Shortcuts don't always work. And I've still got a lot to learn about parenting and life.

Dear Lord, I praise You today for who You are. You are worthy of my best efforts. Forgive me when I try to take a shortcut in serving You. Help me to remember that Your way isn't always the easy way. But it's the best way. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

3 comments:

Hi Jen! I'm still reading your blog, even though I don't always comment... just very busy! I subscribe by email so I mostly read it from my email, but today I have time to comment. Your blog posts are always encouraging to me and I'm still trying to lose weight (I crashing and burning alot) but your blog always says something to me to help me get back on track. I keep thinking, "if she can do it, so can I!". I'm struggling most with self-control. Disciplining myself to say no to bad foods and choose healthy foods. I have the exercising down, but it's the eating I have to get on track with. I really liked this blog post. I especially liked "if you decide to start your weight loss journey, you must take the long road". Thanks so much for your encouragement Jen!

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Welcome to my Weight Loss Blog

Hi! I am Jen and God has used my weight loss journey to change my life!! Please click here to read about how God can change your life too!! Feel free to read, comment, and share your own weight loss story with me. I would love to hear from you! To contact me, click here.